Lincoln is appointed by speaker to Committee on Public Accounts and Expenditures. Jesse K. Dubois of Lawrence County, one of Lincoln's close friends for remainder of his life, is also member. Day is devoted to unimportant resolutions.House Journal.

Whigs elect Ebenezer Z. Ryan assistant clerk over Samuel S. Brooks. Lincoln is placed on select committee to prepare rules of House.House Journal.

Lincoln notes in fee book of Stuart & Lincoln his employment by Isaac Cogdal, friend of his New Salem years, in suit brought against Cogdal by Webster & Hickox, Springfield merchants.Stuart & Lincoln fee book.

Norman H. Purple of Peoria petitions House, claiming seat of William J. Phelps. Lincoln moves that House take up petition at once, arguing that party feeling would be augmented by delay. He proposes that governor be authorized to issue "interest bonds" to defray interest on state debt. House Journal; Remarks in Illinois Legislature Concerning Petition of Norman H. Purple, 4 December 1840, CW, 1:214-15; Remarks in Illinois Legislature Amending a Bill Providing Interest on State Debt, 4 December 1840, CW, 1:215-17.

Stuart & Lincoln buy $30.50 worth of merchandise from a Springfield merchant.Account (copy), 4 December 1840, Irwin & Corneau Account Book, 185, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

Logan, for Logan & Lincoln for appellant, files answer in Blue v. Allen et ux. (SC).Record.

In U.S. Circuit Court, on motion of Logan & Lincoln, attorneys for plaintiffs in Woods et al. v. Yates et al., defendants are ruled to plead by tomorrow morning.Record.

Logan reports to Railroad convention plan for concentrating efforts of Sangamon, Morgan, and Madison Counties for purchase of Northern Cross Railroad and construction of Alton and Springfield. Lincoln's name is not mentioned in proceedings, but he probably attends.Alton Telegraph, 20 December 1845.

In Elmore v. Moon, jury finds defendant guilty and assesses damages at $50. Court awards $317.32 to complainants in John Bennett et al. v. Richard E. Bennett et al., and orders real estate sold as per bill of complaint. In chancery case of Waggoner v. Lukins, jury awards land to complainant on payment of $125.34. Lincoln is for plaintiffs in all three cases.Record.

He writes court order in three cases: Bennett, executor v. Bennett et al.; Backenstos v. Backenstos; Wright v. Adams et al.Photocopy; Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln attends evening Whig caucus which nominates Winthrop of Massachusetts for speaker, Sargent of Pennsylvania for sergeant-at-arms, Horner of New Jersey for doorkeeper, and McCormick of District of Columbia for postmaster.Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 5 December 1847, CW, 1:416-17.

Lincoln has not arrived in Washington as Thirtieth Congress convenes for its second session.Globe.

Lincoln goes shopping, buying 20¢ worth merchandise at Irwin's, $6 sundries at Bunn's. Irwin Ledger; Bunn Journal.

P. Lindley, recorder of circuit court of LaSalle County, certifies correctness of abstract submitted as evidence before Lincoln and Johnston. Illinois Reports, 1853, No. 9.

Lincoln has another easy day in court. As complainant's solicitors he and Herndon file supplemental bill in one case, while in another they enter motion that defendant be ruled to answer by February 1, 1854. Record.

Moore v. Ware, in which court ruled against them November 21, 1855, ends in victory for Lincoln & Herndon when jury brings in verdict for defendant, whom they represent. They lose Hall v. Crouch, also tried before jury. Third case is continued. Record.

Defendants default in Burrell v. Ward et al. and court orders bill taken for confessed. Lincoln & Herndon represent complainant. Record.

"On the . . . Sabbath Mr. Lincoln confined himself to the house in company and association with a few particular friends." N.Y. Tribune, 30 August 1860.

"Mr. Lincoln's room was crowded all day during reception hours," reporter writes, "and there was no end of introductions, salutations, congratulations, compliments, etc. etc. The attention of the President-elect is now fixed on Congress. He awaits the appearance of his predecessor's Message with the greatest anxiety." George Fogg is again in town, spending much time with Lincoln. N.Y. Herald, 9 December 1860.

President confers with Sen. James Harlan (Iowa) and Sen. Browning (Ill.) about military appointments. Browning, Diary.

Lincoln writes to Susannah Weathers, of Rossville, Indiana, and thanks her for sending him "[A] pair of socks so fine, and soft, and warm." He notes, "Your letter informs me that your maiden name was Crume, and that you were raised in Washington county, Kentucky, by which I infer that an uncle of mine by marriage was a relative of yours. Nearly, or quite sixty years ago, Ralph Crume married Mary Lincoln, a sister of my father, in Washington county, Kentucky." Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Susannah Weathers, 4 December 1861, CW, 5:57.

Interviews Alexander T. Galt, minister of finance for Canada, regarding uneasiness in Canada over possible aggressive designs of U.S. Fred Landon, "Canadian Appreciation of Abraham Lincoln," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 3 (September 1945):167.

With Mrs. Lincoln attends presentation of colors by Sen. Harris (N.Y.) to Harris Light Cavalry near Arlington, Va. Russell, Diary.

Authorizes Sec. Seward to answer request of Methodist ministers of California for permission to attend convention at New Orleans. McDougall to Lincoln, 3 December 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Visits Asst. Sec. Fox in evening to consult on navy affairs. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Transmits to House of Representatives report relative to correspondence with foreign nations on rights of blockade, privateering, and "recognition of the so called Confederate States," and report "upon the subject of increasing and extending trade and commerce of the United States with Foreign Countries." Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 4 December 1861, CW, 5:55-56.

[Harness account charged 38¢ for "whip thong." Lutz Account Book.]

Lincoln endorses John W. True of 54th Regiment Illinois Volunteers: "I personally know the writer of this to be a good man." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 4 December 1862, CW, 5:540.

9:30 A.M. President telegraphs Mrs. Lincoln in New York: "All going well." Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln, 4 December 1863, CW, 7:34.

Congs. Brutus J. Clay (Ky.) and Green Clay Smith (Ky.) present to President petition for release of Clifton F. Estill, prisoner of war at Camp Douglas, Ill., whose mother was active Union lady in Fayette County. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 4 December 1863, CW, 7:34.

President, still confined to room, is working on Annual Message to Congress. N.Y. Herald, 5 December 1863.

President plans to send Annual Message to Congress on Tuesday, December 6, 1864. Nicolay to Bates, 4 December 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.